Eden + UPLIFT Desk
With UPLIFT standing desks, we’ve been able to begin offering our artists an alternative to sitting and tattooing in difficult positions for hours at a time during all-day tattoo sessions, all while maintaining client comfort. To do this, we’ve adapted some of our massage tables to fit on top of UPLIFT desks.
The desk goes up to 4 feet high, can hold over 400lbs, and can be assembled for around $2,000 without intensive handiwork. In our opinion, the affordability, height, and durability makes it superior to any other electronic tattoo table on the market.
If you’re interested in adapting one of these desks for your own use in tattooing, below you’ll find a step-by-step process with pictures.
Make sure to use the links below to purchase the same equipment we used.
If you’re not a tattoo artist, UPLIFT Desk still provides amazing products, great customer service, and very fast shipping. Having the option to stand can be a great benefit to any career! You can browse their products here.
Here’s the equipment we used to build the desks:
-A 4-Leg Commercial V2 Standing Desk Frame from UPLIFT DESK (the COMMERCIAL option is very important)
-A 72x30x1 Solid Bamboo Desk Table Top from Amazon
You’ll also need:
-2 wooden shims (pictured below)
-8 #10 2 1/2” wood to wood deck screws
-A pencil
-Measuring tape
-Drill and bits.
We also like using the bluetooth foot pedal for easy raising and lowering, but there are a number of useful accessories that could be added via UPLIFT’s website.
If you don’t need the massage table to tilt, you can assemble a standing desk a little easier and cheaper with a flat table-top only option. You’ll need the desk (linked above), as well as
-A massage table cover from Amazon
If you’re electing to go with the non-tilt option, simply put the foam cushion and the massage table cover on top of the assembled desk. You’ll need to use a strong adhesive to keep the foam cover from sliding around.
Note that because of the sturdiness of the desk, it is quite heavy. We do not recommend moving it often. We have considered purchasing casters on the UPLIFT Desk website, but we have decided not to as they reduce the weight limit of the desk.
Please also note, while we have personally found the desk to be incredibly sturdy and safe for clients and artists, it is not designed for this use. There is a risk of personal injury from this specific use. Inappropriate use of this desk can cause property damage or bodily injury. Under no circumstances do we or the manufacturer accept warranty or liability claims for damages caused from improper use or handling of this desk.
If you have any questions after reading through this page, please send us an email at info@edenbodyartstudios.com with the subject line “UPLIFT DESK ASSEMBLY” and we’ll be happy to help!
PART 1: DESK ASSEMBLY (TILT AND NON-TILT OPTIONS)
The desk comes with everything you need to assemble the frame itself with the exception of a drill and bits. In the instruction manual you’ll find two sets of instructions—one for a table top with pre-drilled holes, and one without. Follow the instructions for a table top without pre-drilled holes.
Be sure to use a measuring tape and pencil to ensure everything is placed evenly before drilling or screwing.
If you’re going with the non-tilt option, just put the cushion and cover on top of the desk when assembly is complete. Please note, because we have not yet used the non-tilt option for our own use, we’re not 100% sure what the best option for adhesive would be. If you have success with this or any insight, please let us know and we’ll be happy to update this guide to give others the option!
PART 2: MASSAGE TABLE ASSEMBLY (TILT OPTION)
For this part, you’ll need a screwdriver and a wrench, ideally, a socket wrench.
Flip the massage table upside down (on top of the assembled desk works).
Where the legs attach to the bottom of the table at each end and the legs have joints, you’ll find wing nuts and bolts holding tethers that keep everything together. You’ll need to disassemble them by unscrewing each of them. To turn the bolts and wing nuts, you’ll have to insert a screwdriver into the screw on the other side to keep it from spinning.
When all the necessary tethers are disassembled, the bed should lay flat upside-down and all parts of the legs should lay flat inside it. Use the provided cord organizers from UPLIFT Desk to keep the tethers neatly together, or, if you remove all the nuts and bolts, you can remove the tethers completely.
Next, you’ll need to remove the golden hinge keeping both sides of the table together. Unscrew all the screws holding it onto the table.
Next, flip both halves of the massage table right-side up, and position them on top of the desk so the middle ends are touching, and each side of the table is positioned evenly with the edges bamboo tabletop. This is the position in which you’ll attach the massage table to the bamboo table top. The massage table should now lay flat, with the exception of where the seat-hinge comes down slightly below the sides of the bottom of the massage table.
Raise the hinge of the table so it is close to upright and the contents underneath are exposed. Position a shim underneath the frame of the massage table and on top of the tabletop to give the metal hinges a bit of clearance like the photo below.
Above the shim in the frame of the massage table, drill a pilot hole and then put a screw through the frame, shim, and into the bamboo tabletop. Repeat this with the other side. You might need to hold the shim in place to keep it from pivoting side to side.
Now, when you lie the hinge portion of the massage table flat, the metal hinges should have enough clearance on both sides below the frame and above the bamboo tabletop.
The next step is to screw the massage table into the bamboo tabletop. It will attach in 6 places: 4 in each corner of the foot (lower) half of the massage table, and 2 in each corner of the upper (head) portion where the two table halves meet. Drill pilot holes in each place underneath the lip of the bamboo table. Then while someone else applies pressure to the top of the massage table to hold it to the bamboo table top, drive a screw underneath the tabletop directly into the sides of the bottom of the massage table. Make sure to position your pilot holes in the right places.
The assembly should now be complete! The massage table should not move or wiggle.
When moving the desk, use two people to pick it up at the same time.
Again, use the links above to ensure you purchase the right equipment, and send us an email if you have any questions or need assistance!